About Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park 2014

It’s the show that’s got it all - bright lights, big stars, fireworks and Santa Claus! Since 1994 generations of Kiwis have gathered friends and family at Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park to celebrate the start of the festive season.

From an idea presented to Coca-Cola 20 years ago, the popular free outdoor concert has become an iconic Christmas event that Kiwis know, love and recognise as the “happiest night of the year”.

The event has regularly featured crowd favourites Frankie Stevens, Jackie Clarke, Ainslie Allen and Drew Neemia, as well as shooting stars Stan Walker, Cassie Henderson and Tami Neilson and can quietly boast launching the career of many performers, offering new talent the opportunity of a lifetime.

From Hayley Westenra to Midnight Youth, Op Shop to Hollie Smith, Benny Tipene to Lizzie Marvelly, Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park attracts some of the most talented, most popular and most able to belt out Christmas favourites and current hits to the nation’s biggest outdoor audience.

Over the past 20 years there have been countless highlights including Santa’s arrival by flying fox, sailboat, fire engine, giant waka and by tractor. We’ve seen giant bouncing balls and vintage bi-planes, snowfalls, dancing dogs, tissue artists and glowing orbs and every year the crowds are wowed by the spectacular fireworks that light up the sky during the all-star finale.

Then it’s all over for another year. But during that time auditions are held, contracts are signed, the programme is designed and cast, costumes created and once again the stage is set to present one the biggest Christmas musical spectaculars in Australasia.

Fast facts

- Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park is one of New Zealand’s biggest free outdoor Christmas musical extravaganzas and since 1994, has been Coca-Cola’s special gift to New Zealand.

- The first Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park concert was held in Auckland in 1994 and there have been 42 concerts since (20 in Auckland, 4 in Wellington, 18 in Christchurch).

- Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park is a unique showcase for New Zealand talent and this year over 350 of the most talented singers, dancers, musicians, television and radio personalities will take part in the concerts.